The DSM-IV an d diagnosing autism - a question for the group

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

I recently attended a small lecture by a psychologist from the

M.I.N.D. Institute at a local DS support group meeting. They are

starting some research there that has to do with very young children

and babies with DS. She was fielding questions about the learning

patterns of kids with DS. My husband waded in and opened our

particular can of worms by asking her about the differences between

kids with DS and kids with both DS and ASD. She tried to address us

and we knew much of what she shared. One thing that surprised us

was that she said that the DSM-IV does not allow for a co-morbid

condition, in other words, according to how the DSM-IV is taught to

be used you cannot have a dual diagnosis of DS and ASD and that is

why so many doctors are reluctant to give a dual diagnosis of DS and

ASD. She also said that when a child comes into the M.I.N.D.

Institute with a dual diagnosis of DS/ASD that they actually have a

policy of reassessing the child to make sure.

Does anyone else have any experience with a professional saying that

the DSM-IV does not allow for a co-morbid condition AND perhaps

this is one reason, other than prejudice, that it is very difficult

to obtain a dual diagnosis?

Hugs,

Donnell

[Guest guest]

-

Oops!! Sorry. The DSM-IV stands for Diagnostic and Statistical

Manual - 4th edition. It is what a doctor would look at to find the

symptoms of autism. Or other symptoms of other mental disorders. It

would be the definitive source for what autism is and is not.

See http://allpsych.com/disorders/dsm.html

I'm sorry to speak jargon and thank-you for asking.

Hugs,

Donnell

>

> I have a question, what is DSM-IV stand for?

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Are they not using DSM-VI ?? There are changes between the editions.

On Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 8:42 PM, Donnell Kenworthy <

donnellkenworthy@...> wrote:

> -

> Oops!! Sorry. The DSM-IV stands for Diagnostic and Statistical

> Manual - 4th edition. It is what a doctor would look at to find the

> symptoms of autism. Or other symptoms of other mental disorders. It

> would be the definitive source for what autism is and is not.

>

> See http://allpsych.com/disorders/dsm.html

>

> I'm sorry to speak jargon and thank-you for asking.

>

> Hugs,

> Donnell

>

>

> >

> > I have a question, what is DSM-IV stand for?

> >

> >

> >

> > **************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL

> Money &

> > Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Sara,

As far as I can tell, the DSM-IV IS the current edition, unless you

know something I don't. Where have you heard of the DSM-6th

edition? I don't think it exists.....yet!

Hugs,

Donnell

> > >

> > > I have a question, what is DSM-IV stand for?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > **************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL

> > Money &

> > > Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)

> > >

> > >

> > >